Don Middlebrook is a multi-award winning Trop Rock artist with over 16 albums to his credit. He travels the nation playing 200 music venues, festivals and house concerts each year. Don is known for his impressive songwriting talent and his ability to create lyrics on the spot engaging the crowd and environment in front of him. Don Middlebrook tells us his story behind the song “Bring it On, Hurricane Michelle” and he’s giving Trop Rockin’ Magazine readers a free download this week.
Written: by Don Middlebrook in 2001 at “Meeting of the Minds” Trop Rock music festival in Key West, Florida.
Co-writers: Lyrical support from several Parrot Heads, particularly Gwyn Besner, from Traverse City, MI. “We’re leavin’ the Keys, on our hands and knees –and we won’t go quietly.”
From the Album: Traveling Music
The Setting: MOTM right after 9/11 — we knew the world would never be the same again. Bravely, Parrot Heads took flight to Key West for “Meeting of the Minds” in November, only to be evacuated by Hurricane Michelle.
It was an crazy time in Key West with Hurricane Michelle tracking ninety miles away; some left, some stayed. Some packed with haste and evacuated; others lingered and went to the bar.
The protocol for evacuation is visitors first, locals next, and city servants last. Myself and the band — like many Parrot Heads — opted for the local exit plan. We felt Key West was our home, and wanted to stay.
However it became very unnerving ordering cocktails while they boarded up bars and hotels. We innocently thought our alcohol infusion would keep Michelle away — even as precautions were being taken all around us.
When Hurricane Michelle made it over the mountains of Cuba all bets were off. Highway 1 turned into a two lane exit going only north. We had almost stayed at the party too long.
It was a scary time, and a very odd historical time; but, we made it because we Parrot Heads are family. Half a day later, safely partying with my Parrot Head friends in a Fort Lauderdale hotel, I pulled this song together from lyrics written on a wet bar napkin that had survived Hurricane Michelle.
Bring it On, Hurricane Michelle (lyrics)
By Don Middlebrook
It’s a strange calculation, an evacuation; every body’s got to go.
Mandatory, that’s the story, when she starts to blow.
Some are leavin’ and they are grievin’ — others they decided to stay.
We made our choice: take on the hurricane force — we decided to play
Bring it on, Hurricane Michelle; you missed us by 90 miles, best we can tell.
They’re bumper to bumper up on A1A;
And some poor souls, they’re beginnin’ to pray.
But, we’ve got our songs, we tighten down our thongs; Oh, Michelle, have a nice day.
Buses leavin’ like babies teethin’; irritation in the streets.
And the party don’t stop, as the palm trees rock; and the band doesn’t miss a beat.
Strange scene as the hammerin’ team starts boarden’ up the hotel.
And the bartender yells, “Let’s do some jello shots!” Is this heaven or is this hell?
Bring it on, Hurricane Michelle; you missed us by 90 miles, best we can tell.
They’re bumper to bumper up on A1A;
And some poor souls, they’re beginnin’ to pray.
But, we’ve got our songs, we tighten down our thongs; Oh, Michelle, have a nice day.
Strange days, strange times; so hard to enjoy a tan.
Ever since 911, and all that crap over in Afghanistan.
Somehow we’ll make it; we are family.
We’re leavin’ the Keys on our hands and knees — but, we won’t go quietly.
Bring it on, Hurricane Michelle; you missed us by 90 miles, best we can tell.
They’re bumper to bumper up on A1A;
And some poor souls, they’re beginnin’ to pray.
But, we’ve got our songs, we tighten down our thongs; Oh, Michelle, have a nice day.
Come on guys, let’s get a beer. No worries, just a little breeze . . .
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